VERO BEACH — Colton Hester promised classmate Brittany Hare that he would go fishing with her this summer.

But Brittany's death last Sunday after she was hit by a car in Port St. Lucie cut Colton's plans short, so he came to the Britt Brat Fish-Off and Candlelight service in Wednesday night in her honor.

"I figured this would be close enough," said Colton, 14, of Fort Pierce, as he fished from the pier with his mother, Tabitha Hester. "Brittany should be remembered for what she was and the things she loved, liked fishing. She didn't deserve what happened to her."

Brittany, 14, died after being hit by a car a short walk from her father's home on Palm Drive in the Indian River Estates community east of U.S. 1. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's office stated Jesse Mcinerney, 52, drove the Chevrolet van that struck Hare from behind.

Wednesday's memorial took place on the fishing pier near Riverside Park in Vero Beach and drew dozens of people, including family and friends from Forest Grove Middle School, which Brittany attended. It was organized by Ashlee Hess of Sebastian, and was planned to celebrate the life of her cousin who died too soon.

"I knew the moment I heard what happened to Brittany that something needed to be done in her memory," Hess said. "She gave us a smile, a laugh, whenever she was around."

Brittany was always happiest when she was around water, Hess said.

"I wanted to do this night to mourn Brittany but also remember the passion she had for fishing," said Hess. "What better way to celebrate her life because she always wanted to be on the water. It is certainly a night to remember."

Esther Starr of Port St. Lucie brought her son and Brittany's classmate Bryce to the memorial service Wednesday night and said Brittany's death was a terrible loss.

"This is so tragic," said Starr. "It's almost unbelievable. It was such a small class and everyone knew one another. It's been very hard on the kids."

Tabitha Hester, thought the idea of a fishing service for Brittany was a fitting remembrance for a young girl who loved the outdoors.

"I think this is a great idea," she said. "But I think these kids are too young and life is too short to go through this trauma."